Macksville five-eighth to miss Group 2 grand final

The day after securing the right to host the Group 2 grand final, Macksville now face the reality of trying to win their fourth consecutive title without the services of their star five-eighth Gary Jarrett. Courtesy of a guilty verdict at the judiciary on Monday night, Jarrett is now unavailable to play until after May 10 next year.

The hearing occurred after Jarrett was sighted for making reckless contact to the head of Sawtell's Kris Watson during the major preliminary semi-final.

Monday night wasn't all doom and gloom for the Sea Eagles, as halfback Nev Donovan is allowed to play in the premiership decider despite being found guilty of using offensive language towards referee Rick Purton during Sunday's major semi-final.

Donovan didn't escape lightly though.

The judiciary handed down a $450 fine to him which goes on top of the $150 fine he received earlier in the year for a similar offence.

Oddly enough, the earlier occasion was against Orara Valley and the referee was Rick Purton.

Chairman of the judiciary, Peter Cutler, said that Donovan was issued a stern warning upon the hearing being finalised.

"I told him in no uncertain terms that that if he was to continue to do something like this, the next time it won't be fines but it will be a suspension," he said.

The big story of course is the suspension of Jarrett.

It was no coincidence that Macksville's early season form slump turned around the moment Jarrett returned to the line-up.

During the hearing, club representative Maurie Lonergan argued that the contact made to Watson was made with the palm of Jarrett's hand using a pushing motion. The video evidence provided showed that this clearly wasn't the case.